Outcome of multivisceral echinococcosis: a case report

Zlata Hajric, Amela Pasic, Razija Spahic

Abstract

Introduction: The pathogen of multivisceral echinococcosis is the same agent as for single-organ echinococcosis: Echinococcus granulosus.According to the consensus of experts under the aegis of the WHO-IWGE - WHO-Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis options of treatment should be: (1) percutaneous treatment, (2) surgery, (3) anti-infective drug treatment or (4) watch and waitapproach or combinations thereof.

Case report: The presented case was a seven-year-old Caucasian boy, a permanent resident of rural region near Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who had a history of asymptomatic giant liver and small lung hydatid cyst (multivisceral echinococcosis). We consider that the patient was in the phase of secondary hydatidosis even before undergoing the first treatment PAIR method of liver and continued with adjunctive chemotherapy. Two weeks after discharge, during the adjunctive chemotherapy he had one of possible complication where pre-existed smal lung hydatid cyst gotinflamed and performed an abscess massand potential septic risk, which required surgical and antibiotic treatment. Surgery and early postoperative course were normal and the patient was discharged with recommendation to continue with previously started adjunctive chemotherapy (Albendazol) according to treatment protocol.

Conclusion: Most infected persons are asymptomatic and clinical manifestations vary according to the anatomic location of the cyst, so we want to indicate the importance of routine ultrasound screening of preschool children, and eventually X ray chest scan.This case report highlights the necessity of caution with choosing appropriate treatment, even though size of cyst can be irrelevant to take surgical treatment in first line instead of medical therapy.